Education

Research Description

Dr. Barlaz has been involved in research on various aspects of solid waste since 1983. Over this time, he has conducted research on biological refuse decomposition, methane production, and the biodegradation of hazardous wastes in landfills.  He has participated in two state-of-the-practice reviews of bioreactor landfills.  His research forms the basis for much of the work done to assess the impact of landfills on methane emissions inventories.  Dr. Barlaz is also recognized for his research on the use of life-cycle analysis to evaluate environmental emissions associated with alternate solid waste management strategies.

Publications

Application of a life cycle model for european union policy-driven waste management decision making in emerging economies

Stanisavljevic, N., Levis, J. W., & Barlaz, M. A. (2018), Journal of Industrial Ecology, 22(2), 341–355.

Case study comparison of functional vs. organic stability approaches for assessing threat potential at closed landfills in the USA

O’Donnell, S. T., Caldwell, M. D., Barlaz, M. A., & Morris, J. W. F. (2018), Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 75, 415–426.

Microbial ecological succession during municipal solid waste decomposition

Staley, B. F., Reyes, F. L., Wang, L., & Barlaz, M. A. (2018), Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 102(13), 5731–5740.

Spatial and temporal characteristics of elevated temperatures in municipal solid waste landfills, Navid H. Jafari, Timothy D. Stark, and Todd Thalhamer, Waste Management, 2017, Vol. 59, p. 286-301

Barlaz, M. A., Benson, C. H., Castaldi, M., & Luettich, S. (2018), Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 71, 244–245.

The decay of engineered wood products and paper excavated from landfills in Australia

Ximenes, F. A., Cowie, A. L., & Barlaz, M. A. (2018), Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 74, 312–322.

Evaluation of externality costs in life-cycle optimization of municipal solid waste management systems

Martinez-Sanchez, V., Levis, J. W., Darrigaard, A., DeCarolis, J. F., Barlaz, M. A., & Astrup, T. F. (2017), Environmental Science & Technology, 51(6), 3119–3127.

Heat generation and accumulation in municipal solid waste landfills

Hao, Z. S., Sun, M., Ducoste, J. J., Benson, C. H., Luettich, S., Castaldi, M. J., & Barlaz, M. A. (2017), Environmental Science & Technology, 51(21), 12434–12442.

Life-cycle modeling of municipal solid waste landfills

Levis, J. W., & Barlaz, M. A. (2017), In Geotechnical frontiers 2017: waste containment, barriers, remediation, and sustainable geoengineering (pp. 355–368).

National estimate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) release to US municipal landfill leachate

Lang, J. R., Allred, B. M., Field, J. A., Levis, J. W., & Barlaz, M. A. (2017), Environmental Science & Technology, 51(4), 2197–2205.

Retrospective analysis of Wisconsin's landfill organic stability rule

Bareither, C. A., Barlaz, M. A., Doran, M., & Benson, C. H. (2017). Retrospective analysis of Wisconsin’s landfill organic stability rule. Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York, N.Y.), 143(5),

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Development of a Life-Cycle Model for Open Dumps and Informal Waste Collection

RTI International (aka Research Triangle Institute)(10/14/16 - 9/30/17)

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Development of a Life-Cycle Model for Open Dumps and Informal Waste Collection

Sponsor: RTI International (aka Research Triangle Institute)

Start Date: 10/14/16

End Date: 9/30/17

Abstract

RTI International, in partnership with North Carolina State University, developed and successfully deployed the Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool (MSW DST) to assist cities and stakeholders in evaluating the cost and environmental trade-offs for alternative MSW management strategies and technologies. The MSW DST has been used on numerous projects for federal, state, and local government agencies as well as the solid waste industry over the last decade. The existing MSW DST was developed for U.S. domestic application and modifications are needed to more fully meet the needs of the international cities. The goal of this project is to develop and implement enhancements to the MSW DST to strengthen its applicability to waste management issues facing many international developing and transition economies including topics such as the open dumping and burning of waste and creating local economic development opportunities via recycling and composting. To achieve the goal, new modules (Excel-based models) to quantify the cost and environmental emissions for identified waste management activity gaps need to be built and integrated into the MSW DST.

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Development of a Predictive Model to Estimate Emissions from Open Dumps in Emerging Economies

Procter & Gamble Co.(3/17/15 - 12/31/17)

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Development of a Predictive Model to Estimate Emissions from Open Dumps in Emerging Economies

Sponsor: Procter & Gamble Co.

Start Date: 3/17/15

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

The overall objective of this study is to develop a model of the behavior of packaging and other consumer products when disposed in open dumps to estimate emissions to the environment (surface water, groundwater, air, soil). The model will utilize the principles of life-cycle assessment (LCA) and will be designed with a large degree of flexibility so that it can respond to a variety of scenarios that range, for example, from open dumps in wet versus arid conditions to landfills with either some or a high degree of engineered controls.

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Maximizing Energy for Waste While Minimizing Life-Cycle Environmental Burdens and Cost

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(12/09/14 - 2/28/19)

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Maximizing Energy for Waste While Minimizing Life-Cycle Environmental Burdens and Cost

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 12/09/14

End Date: 2/28/19

Abstract

The US EPA is interested in developing a next generation tool for sustainable materials management as an update to the current Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool (MSW DST). As part of this task, RTI International (RTI) will conduct a review the current SWOLF software tool being developed at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and assess the work required to convert the tool into a stand-alone desktop application, similar to the MSW DST.

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UNDERSTANDING AND PREDICTING TEMPERATURES IN MUNICIAPL SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS

Environmental Research & Education Foundation(12/15/14 - 6/30/19)

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UNDERSTANDING AND PREDICTING TEMPERATURES IN MUNICIAPL SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS

Sponsor: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Start Date: 12/15/14

End Date: 6/30/19

Abstract

The objective of this study is to critically analyze existing literature on hot landfills.

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Solid Waste Management Planning for Wake County in Consideration of Cost, Energy and Environmental Emissions

Wake County(7/01/14 - 12/31/17)

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Solid Waste Management Planning for Wake County in Consideration of Cost, Energy and Environmental Emissions

Sponsor: Wake County

Start Date: 7/01/14

End Date: 12/31/17

Abstract

The overall objective of the proposed project is to assist the Wake County Solid Waste Division with long-term planning for SWM. SWOLF, a solid waste life-cycle model developed at NCSU, will be utilized to model the county’s current solid waste system and to explore and evaluate future alternatives in consideration of appropriate and county-specific preferences and constraints.

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SAVI: International Institute for Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Modeling

National Science Foundation (NSF)(8/15/14 - 7/31/19)

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SAVI: International Institute for Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Modeling

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 8/15/14

End Date: 7/31/19

Abstract

The primary goal of this proposed Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) effort is to establish a self-sustaining virtual institute to enhance research, education, and outreach related to life-cycle assessment (LCA) of solid waste management (SWM) systems.

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Life-Cycle Analysis of Alternatives for Food Waste Management

Covanta Energy Corporation(10/14/13 - 5/31/15)

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Life-Cycle Analysis of Alternatives for Food Waste Management

Sponsor: Covanta Energy Corporation

Start Date: 10/14/13

End Date: 5/31/15

Abstract

The objective of this research is to evaluate alternatives for the treatment and and disposal of food waste by using life-cycle analysis. Management alternatives to be considered include combustion with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, composting and landfill disposal. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to explore the effect of critical model parameters on the ranking of the alternatives considered.

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Development of Methods to Measure the Hydrogen Sulfide Production Potential of Sulfur-Containing Wastes

Environmental Research & Education Foundation(8/15/12 - 7/31/15)

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Development of Methods to Measure the Hydrogen Sulfide Production Potential of Sulfur-Containing Wastes

Sponsor: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Start Date: 8/15/12

End Date: 7/31/15

Abstract

The presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in landfill gas is problematic for several reasons: (1) it is corrosive to landfill gas treatment systems, (2) it is toxic to humans, and (3) it exerts a bad odor, even at 0.5 ? 10 ppb In addition, H2S is toxic to the microorganisms that generate both methane and H2S. As described in this proposal, H2S toxicity has implications for the manner in which we assess the H2S production potential of a waste. Preliminary data from our laboratory suggests that current methods to measure the H2S production potential of a waste may underestimate the true potential because the test is influenced by toxicity. During testing, we often measure H2S concentrations in excess of 20,000 ppm and have recently shown inhibition at 5000 ppm. This suggests that better test methods are required. The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop and document a protocol to assess the H2S production potential of sulfur-containing wastes. Once developed, the protocol will be applied to at least five different fly ashes. The results will include (1) a documented protocol to assess H2S production potential; (2) an understanding of the relationship between a small-scale (serum bottle) test which is cheaper and faster, and a more realistic but slower and more costly reactor test; and (3) an evaluation of whether the H2S production potential of various fly ashes can be predicted from a chemical characterization.

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Development of Methods to Measure Anaerobic Biodegradability Under Simulated Landfill Conditions

Plastics Environmental Council(8/01/11 - 8/28/13)

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Development of Methods to Measure Anaerobic Biodegradability Under Simulated Landfill Conditions

Sponsor: Plastics Environmental Council

Start Date: 8/01/11

End Date: 8/28/13

Abstract

The objective of this research is to define and execute a modeling program that will result in a basis for projecting landfill biodegradation rates based on laboratory data, with the objective of applying for a standard specification (ASTM or otherwise) that will satisfy regulatory, legislative end commercial requirements for assurance of biodegradability.

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Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste as a Biofuel Feedstock

Biofuels Center of North Carolina(7/01/11 - 4/30/13)

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Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste as a Biofuel Feedstock

Sponsor: Biofuels Center of North Carolina

Start Date: 7/01/11

End Date: 4/30/13

Abstract

Although crop and timber-based biomass have traditionally been viewed as primary choices for biofuel production, recent research suggests that municipal solid waste (MSW) may overcome a number of limitations, such as limited availability and accessibility, as compared to first-generation feedstocks . North Carolinians generate more than 9.9 million tons of MSW per year according to the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Roughly 60% of this mass consists of paper, plastic, and food scraps that can be converted into biofuels via gasification technologies. If all of the MSW generated in N.C. were directed towards biofuels production, this feedstock would generate 297 million gallons of biofuels (assuming a conservative conversion rate of 50 gal biofuel per ton MSW), which is roughly 5% of the State?s total fuel consumption annually . This quantity would meet half of the state?s 2017 goal to have 10% of liquid fuels come from N.C. produced biofuels. However, the concept of converting MSW into liquid biofuels is relatively new. As a result, the mechanisms and infrastructure needed to make this technology a viable industry are poorly understood. Thus, the primary objectives of this proposal are to: 1. Compare conversion of MSW into biofuels with current methods used to generate electricity/heat from MSW (e.g. landfill gas to energy, waste-to-energy). 2. Summarize MSW management and operational infrastructure and evaluate how it can be used to support needed infrastructure for the biofuels industry. 3. Develop a report that can be used to educate the public and policymakers about the biofuel production feasibility/capability using MSW as a feedstock. To achieve these objectives, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) and its partners (NC State University, Maverick Biofuels, Waste Industries) will conduct a meta-analysis to acquire data related to: process conversion efficiencies, processing capacity, environmental metrics, energy production, waste quantity and composition, and geospatial factors (Obj. #1). This data will then be used to examine MSW management infrastructure (Obj. #2) and develop information that can serve as a basis for a plan for integrating the use of MSW as a biofuel feedstock (Obj. #3). Issues such as waste reduction initiatives, shifts in waste composition, and their effect on the suitability of MSW as a biofuel feedstock will be considered. The primary deliverable from this $93,119 project will be a report describing the study findings. The project will be completed in 16 months. The EREF?s stakeholder base represents the majority of the solid waste industry. Thus, the EREF has the ability to leverage these results to support MSW to biofuel conversion technologies in NC and beyond.

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